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Role of Sports Visa Attorney for Athletes, Coaches, and Artists
Athletes can choose a Sports Visa (P visa), which allows them, coaches, and artists to live and work temporarily in the US. The P-1 type visa is the one generally granted to this type of person. Our Sports visas attorneys in Miami have extensive experience processing this visa. They provide legal advice and play a crucial role in the P-1 Visa application process. They prepare the documentation and represent the applicant or sponsor in interactions with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The P1 Visa applicant must have international recognition in their sport or entertainment field. Essential support personnel also qualify for the P1 Visa.
P-1A Visa for Internationally Recognized Athletes
The P-1A visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to individuals or teams seeking to enter the U.S. to participate in a specific athletic competition or series of competitions at an internationally recognized level of performance. The P-1A visa is also open to coaches and members of theatrical ice skating productions. To be eligible for the P-1A Visa, the individual must have achieved a high level of recognition in their field.
This visa requires a US sponsor. This could be a major US sports league or a foreign employer, sponsor, agent, or employer of an individual athlete.
Sign your Sports Contract under the Guidance of our Sports Visas Attorneys
The sponsor is responsible for submitting a contract between themselves and the foreign athlete. The organization specialized in the field considered, evidencing that the individual is a recognized athlete in this field. In these cases, it is essential to have the help of a Sports Visa Lawyer in Miami. Not only to guide you with the processing of your visa. The Sports Visas Attorneys will also advise you when signing your sports contract.
The team or athlete must qualify as ‘professional’ or meet the government’s definition of ‘international recognition.’ In the context of the P-1 Visa, ‘international recognition’ means the individual or team has achieved a significant level of success and recognition in their sport or entertainment field, both nationally and internationally. An individual or team is ‘professional’ if it competes in a major United States sports league. They must have a governing body, at least six teams, with annual revenues exceeding $10,000,000.
Minor league teams or athletes may also qualify if they can present evidence. They must show that the minor league team is associated with a team that is involved in a league that meets the criteria above. Sounds complicated? You can contact the Sports Visas Attorneys in Hialeah at One People Law for more information.
What Must Be Proven to Obtain a P-1 Visa?
An individual must present evidence of any two of the following to demonstrate that they are considered as “international recognition”. Our Sports Visas Attorneys are here for you
- Evidence of having participated significantly in a previous season with a major US sports league.
- Evidence of having markedly participated in international competition with a national team
- Evidence of having participated considerably in a prior season for a US college or university in an intercollegiate competition.
- A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or an official of the sport’s governing body detailing how you or your team is recognized internationally.
- A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport detailing how you or your team are internationally recognized.
- Evidence that you or your team are qualified if the sport has international classifications.
- Evidence that you or your team have received a significant honor or award in the sport.
The staff of sports visa lawyers in Hialeah at One People Law will help you. They will demonstrate that you meet the requirements of an internationally recognized athlete.
P-1A visas for individual athletes can be issued for up to 5 years and extended for an additional five years. P-1A visas for sports teams can be issued for up to 1 year, with the possibility of 1-year extensions.
Visa extensions can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. You can count on the support of One People Law’s Sports Visas Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale to help you. They will demonstrate to the United States government that the extension of your stay is justified.
Unmarried children under the age of 21 and spouses of P-1A visa holders can also receive visas. This will allow them to live and study in the United States but cannot work
P-1 Visa Benefits
Not only will you be able to participate in the sporting event, but the P-1 sports visa will also bring other benefits for you and your family. Our sport visa lawyers in Fort Lauderdale at One People Law tell us what they are:
- Employment in the US with the P1 Visa
You can enter the US to do your events, presentations, or competitions and receive payment for your work.
- Public Education with the P1 Visa
With the P1 Visa, you and your immediate family will have the right to free public education in the US.
- University Studies with the P1 Visa
Your university-age children will be able to access public universities by paying subsidized tuition with the P1 Visa.
- Easy Entries with the P1 Visa
The P1 Visa makes it easier for you to enter the US at airport immigration.
P-1 Visa Processing Process
To begin the process, the sponsor or future employer must complete Form I-129 (Petition for a Temporary Worker). This must be done with the USCIS from the United States Department of Homeland Security. This form is a crucial part of the P-1 Visa application. It requires detailed information about the athlete, coach, or artist and their qualifications. A sports visa attorney in Miami Gardens can help with this process. They will ensure that all the necessary information is included and the form is filled out correctly.
If approved, USCIS will send the employer a Form I-797 (“Notice of Action”). Once the petition has been approved by the USCIS and the employer has received the I-797 form. Them, the visa can be requested at the corresponding consular office.
Specifications may vary from consulate to consulate. It is advisable to verify the information listed on the website of the United States representative office in each country. Consult with our Sports visa lawyers in Miami Gardens to find out if any particular procedure is necessary for group visas.
In general terms, it will be requested:
As a first step, form DS-156 must be filled out electronically.
A photograph that meets the required specifications.
Payment of the visa fee.
On the day of the interview appointment, bring all the documentation required by the consulate website. This typically includes your current and past passports, a completed form DS-156, a photograph, and payment of the visa fee. Additional documentation may be required, depending on your specific circumstances. Check with our sports visa attorneys in Opa Locka to ensure you have all the proper documentation in order.
Visas can be denied for many reasons, which fall into two broad categories:
There could be reasons that make a person inadmissible to enter the US
There could be reasons that make them ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa.
Denial of a visa can have negative consequences in the future. The US government will always ask you why your visa was denied, which becomes an obstacle to future applications. That is why our Sports visa lawyers in Opa Locka will provide you with the help necessary to prevent this from happening.
Contact our Sports Visas Attorneys Today
If you think you qualify for a P visa, contact us today. Our professional team is dedicated to helping people with all their immigration needs, including P visa applications.
Our immigration attorneys represent individuals and businesses throughout the US and the world. They are dedicated to helping clients with all aspects of US immigration and nationality law. If you need an immigration law firm, we will be more than happy to help
Reach out to us at (954) 727-5585 today. Our Orlando business visa attorneys are always available for you.
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